No less than 16 players who formed part of last year’s SA U19 squad, have made their way into the Under-20 team.  Gerrit-Jan van Velze will captain the team to Wales.

The 26-man squad includes 14 forwards and 12 backs.

The South African selectors have included three players who have played for the Springbok Sevens already as well as two youngsters with Super 14 experience.

Juan de Jong, Robert Ebersohn and Wilton Pietersen, were all capped for the Springbok Sevens team earlier this year. 

Centre Stephan Dippenaar and scrumhalf Francois Hougaard (both Bulls), are the duo who already boast with Super Rugby experience.

Free State fullback Pietersen is the current Coca-Cola Craven Week Player of the Year while Golden Lions flanker Johan van Deventer, the 2007 Sasol SA U19 Player of the Year, was also named amongst the forwards.

In Wales South Africa will contest Pool B with Samoa, Scotland and the United States.

Eric Sauls, the SA U20 coach, said his team was looking forward to the challenge in Wales.

“South Africa has a proud tradition at junior international level with many current Springboks having made their name first at this level. Our squad includes the core of the SA U19 team of last year that performed so admirably before losing to New Zealand in the Cup Final.

“I would like to believe that we have a fair amount of continuity and experience in the squad and this will hopefully contribute to our performances.

“We had two training camps and also played against our French counterparts on four occasions this year, so our preparations have been extremely good.  The team is looking forward to the tournament and eager to do well,” said Sauls.

South Africa U20s squad:

Backs
Cecil Afrika - Fullback (GRIFFONS)
Wilton Pietersen - Fullback (FREE STATE)
Omphile Seabela - Wing (BLUE BULL
Vainon) Willis - Wing (BLUE BULLS)
Lionel Mapoe - Wing (FREE STATE)
Robert Ebersohn - Centre (FREE STATE)
Juan de Jongh - Centre (WP)
Stephan Dippenaar - Centre (BLUE BULLS)
Stefan Watermeyer - Centre (BLUE BULLS)
Francois Brummer - Flyhalf (BLUE BULLS)
Francois) Hougaard - Scrumhalf (BLUE BULLS)
Dewaldt Duvenage - Scrumhalf (BOLAND)

Forwards
Nick Koster - No.8 (WP)
Gerrit-Jan van Velze - No.8 (BLUE BULLS)
Luvuyiso Lusaseni - Flanker (KZ NATAL)
Johan van Deventer - Flanker (LIONS)
Thiliphatu Marole - Flanker (KZN)
Sabelo Nhlapo - Lock (KZN)
Cornel Hess - Lock (BLUE BULLS)
Martin Muller - Lock (WP)
Jean Rossouw - Prop (WP)
Corne Fourie - Prop (BLUE BULLS)
Frederick Kirsten - Prop (BLUE BULLS)
Wiehahn Herbst - Prop (KZN)
Henri Bantjes - Hooker (BLUE BULLS)
Pieter van Vuuren - Hooker (FREE STATE)

MANAGEMENT
Manager: Willem Oliphant
Coach: Eric Sauls
Assistant Coach: Donald Ngwenya
Assistant Coach: Jerome Paarwater
Technical Assistant: Andre Eloff
Doctor: Pierre Viviers
Physiotherapist: Bafana Sihlali
Physiotherapist: Wayne Hector
Conditioning Coach: Graham Bentz